Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief With Navy Pier Board Members

Statement

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a call with members of the Board of Directors for Chicago's Navy Pier to discuss the latest on negotiations to pass an additional COVID-19 relief bill. Durbin said he would continue to fight for additional relief for Navy Pier, which employs hundreds of people. Navy Pier received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, but like many businesses facing economic uncertainty because of the pandemic, is in need of additional financial assistance to stay financially viable.

"Navy Pier is an iconic part of Chicago. It supports hundreds of jobs and provides entertainment for Illinoisans and Chicago's visitors to enjoy every year. Sadly, the Pier has faced grave uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, I told Navy Pier Board members that I would fight for additional relief funding so this Chicago landmark is here for years to come," Durbin said.

Durbin is a cosponsor of the RESTART Act, which would create a $150 billion forgivable loan program for businesses and nonprofits with up to 5,000 employees that saw at least a 25 percent revenue loss in 2020. Loans would cover six months of payroll and operating expenses such as mortgage interest, rent, utilities, debt obligations, PPE, and other necessary business expenses. Durbin also supports COVID-19 financial relief for state and local governments as well as increased flexibility for the use of these funds to replace lost revenues. The House-passed HEROES Act includes nearly $1 trillion in fiscal relief funding for states and localities.

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